The podiatrists at Foot & Ankle Institute in Houston, TX, and Sugar Land, TX, help patients manage neuropathic foot pain. Read about treatment options and come see us if you're dealing with neuropathic pain!
Neuropathic foot pain in Houston, TX, and Sugar Land, TX
Neuropathic pain happens when the nervous system is damaged or not functioning properly. Damaged nerves send incorrect signals to pain centers. The result is sometimes burning pain, and sometimes numbness or tingling, or pins and needles feeling. Neuropathic pain can be excruciating and is tough to manage, but we can help. There are many problems that can mimic neuropathy pain such as low back pain and circulatory problems. Our office can help determine the cause.
The most common cause of neuropathy is diabetes because high blood sugar can lead to nerve damage. Diabetes accounts for about 30 percent of all cases of neuropathy. Neuropathy can also happen from an injury or trauma from a disease that damages nerves. Even chemotherapy can cause nerve damage. Our office is able to perform sudomotor testing to help determine the type of neuropathy and severity of nerve damage.
Treatment Options
Because neuropathy is often a symptom of diabetes, treating and stabilizing the underlying medical condition can reduce the symptoms. A healthy diet and regular exercise are especially important for diabetic patients, and keeping blood sugar levels in a healthy range can help control pain levels. Your doctor will also recommend quitting smoking and reducing any alcohol intake.
Your physical therapist can recommend exercises to improve muscle strength and decrease pain. There are some topical pain-relieving treatments like creams and pain patches that can be effective for neuropathy. In some cases, a steroid injection to the nerves responsible for the pain signals (sometimes called a nerve block) can be helpful.
If the underlying cause cannot be treated, there are medications available for managing neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain doesn't get better with common painkillers like ibuprofen, so antidepressants, vitamin therapies, and anticonvulsants are used. The drugs prescribed for neuropathic pain are powerful and you usually start at a very low dose to minimize any unpleasant side effects. Talk to your doctor about any side effects you experience, and together you can find the right dose for your pain.
Your podiatrists, Dr. Asia Lo, Dr. Manish Patel, and Dr. Usman Sultan at Foot & Ankle Institute help diabetics and other patients manage foot and ankle pain. Contact us in Houston, TX, and Sugar Land, TX, at (281) 531-4100.